VII.

She saw something actually break in Arthur's eyes while he let go of her hand gently.

And then nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

He opened his mouth, then closed it and she realized with horror that he was fighting not to close off entirely from her.

He was fighting against each one of his instincts.

She had not actually realized how much he loved her until then.

"Arthur..."

"And-" he choked out and stopped a few seconds. "And... did you..." he hesitated "kiss him? "

She didn't answer and he ran a hand in his hair.

"Well." A silence. She didn't dare breath. "Well Guinevere, it would seem you made your choice in the end."

"No-"

"No?" he said again and she noticed there was no anger in his voice. It was worst than if he had started to scream at her. He just seemed so tired suddenly and sad. "Gwen, listen to yourself. You cancelled our wedding for him, how do you call that?"

"I don't want to be with Lancelot." she begged him to understand.

She loved him.

Him and no one else.

"Gwen..." he shook his head sadly and she saw his fists opening and closing by his sides. He was so pale suddenly. "You can't tell me that."

"But it's true!"

A silence.

"Arthur, please..."

"I suppose the only remaining question is… do you want to be with me, then?" he ended and she thought she would die.

She took a step to him, eyes fierce and voice certain because he needed to understand.

"Arthur, there isn't even a question there." then she added, "It's you. It's always been you. I can't explain why I … why I did what I did." A sob took her and he opened the mouth to speak but nothing came out. "But there was only ever you for me."

He studied her for a few seconds.

"If you had doubts about our wedding Guinevere, why didn't you talk to me?"

She tried to calm the trembling of her lips.

This was too much.

"I didn't want to hurt you..."

He smiled so very sadly, blue eyes studying her intensely.

"My sweet Guinevere."

"I was..." her voice broke and she cleared her throat. "I meant it when I told you 'yes' Arthur." she sobbed.

He stared at her a few seconds before finally saying in a voice she could barely hear.

"I believe you."

Her heart stopped.

"You do?"

He nodded, eyes sad but smile genuine.

"I do."

"Don't you hate me? You have every right to."

A laugh without humor escaped his mouth and he ran a hand through his hair looking above her for a few seconds before their eyes locked again.

"Yes, it would somehow be so much easier, wouldn't it?" he sighed deeply. "But I told you Guinevere, nothing could make me love you less. This is my bane, I believe." he shook his head, looking down for a few seconds, frowning. "Even when it appears you love Lancelot more than you love me, it only makes me love you more."

"I don't love him more than you." her voice broke, "And you can't be serious, Arthur. You would have every rights to never want to talk to me again."

He chuckled sadly.

"Why would I want that?"

And blue eyes seemed so certain.

So genuine.

Too much.

It was way too much for her.

He couldn't be serious, he couldn't think that.

She just broke his heart beyond imagination, he couldn't think about forgiving her.

Shaking, she tried to reach the door she needed some fresh air.

But Arthur caught her arm tenderly,

"Guinevere, wait. Please." he whispered and she stared at him, tears blurring her vision.

"I can't." her voice broke and she slowly got away, before running outside.

Merlin walked toward a little more, enough to hear what was going on and he froze when he recognized the voice of the person Sophia was talking to.

Morgana.

He should have guessed...

He listened to the conversation again.

"So?"

"Gwen, Arthur and Merlin are still in the village."

"Good. I want them to suffer... " she smirked. "I want them to feel alone, then I will kill them. One by one."

"Yes, Morgana." she said like an automat.

"And you will have your revenge,"

Not quite. thought Morgaine, but it would come.

"Yes, Morgana." she said again.

Morgana stared at the young woman,

"You seem distracted Morgaine, what's going on?"

"I..." she took some false contrite face, "I fear Arthur will forgive Gwen. The love that binds them seems way too powerful."

Morgana burst out of laughter before taking some drink,

"Not a chance. Not after what Gwen did to him. If he is anything like Uther, he will never forgive her. Their pride is their doom. And believe me Morgaine, Arthur is Uther's son."

They heard some 'crack' outside and the two of them looked at each other before, without a noise reaching the door and opened it suddenly, there was no one there.

They shared an other look and came in, keeping on planning.

Merlin ran, he ran as fast as he could.

He had to warn Gwen, and Arthur.

And the three of them had toleave this city as soon as they could, come back to Camelot where they would be safe and could plan a plan to bring Morgana and Sophia down.

Sophia.

Morgana had called her Morgaine...

Merlin shook his head, he would have plenty of time to think about it, but right now he had to convince his friends to get out of this village. And then tell Gwen that her sister was Morgana's ally. He had not stayed enough to know why, he had to warn his friends.

As soon as he could.

Gwen, whose tears rolled on her cheeks, headed toward Merlin's room.

She had to speak to him.

Think about something else.

Had Arthur really implied that he could forgive her?

No.

No way.

She had hurt him.

Had kissed another man,

Had ruined their engagement...

And even if he was able to, there was not a chance she could forgive herself.

She knocked and hearing no answer, came in. There was no one here.

"Merlin?" she asked gently,

Still no one.

She settled on the bed and closed her eyes a few seconds, letting the tears roll down her face.

Without noticing, her right hand came to stroke her engagement ring at her neck before she squeezed it in her palm.

"You kept it?" breathed sofltly a familiar voice and her eyes fluttered open suddenly.

Arthur was walking quickly in the village, asking around if people had seen Guinevere.

He had to speak to her, tell her that no matter why she had done this – and he felt his heart tighten at the thought, if she told she didn't want to be with Lancelot, if she told she didn't know why she had been drawn to him... then he believed her.

Could he really do anything else?

He loved her.

And he loved her far more than he cared about his pride.

Pride didn't make his heart beat faster in his chest.

Pride didn't make him laugh.

Pride didn't make him happy.

Pride wouldn't warm him on cold nights.

Pride wasn't the love of his life.

Pride was nothing to him.

(He was not his father.)

He wanted Guinevere.

The young King was starting to lose hope when an idea came to his mind,

Merlin's room.

When Gwen was feeling bad, she would go looking for some comfort towards people she loved.

She was not in his room (hehad already checked that)

She had to be in Merlin's.

He then ran toward it, slowly opened the door and caught a glimpse of her.

She was on the bed, sobbing softly with a hand covering her mouth and holding something in her hand...

When Arthur recognized the ring he had given her in what felt like years ago, he could almost laugh from how happy he felt.

All hope was not lost.

"You kept it?" he breathed so soflty as to not scare her, and suddenly her eyes fluttered open,

She stared at him and got up before getting closer, slowly this time.

He didn't move.

He was too afraid she might run away again.

"It's the only thing I could take of you."

He tenderly smiled at this, and she closed her eyes.

"Guinevere, I have something to ask you."

She opened her eyes and saw he had got closer. The young woman swallowed, and he said again, gently,

"Can you... Can you swear to me you don't love Lancelot? That you don't want to be with him?"

She looked up at him, confused.

"Arthur, what are you doing?"

"Can you swear it?" he only said again, "If you can't, it's okay. I want you to know that. You can tell me that you'll always love him." it would break his heart so utterly to learn Lancelot was the love of her life when she was so clearly the love of his but at least he would know the truth.

She stared at him a few seconds before she said clearly and without any hesitation.

"I swear I don't love him Arthur." and it felt like a weight was lifted out off of his chest. "And what I felt for Lancelot can never compare to what I feel for you. He was a crush, I've been in love with you for so long. You are the love of my life, Arthur Pendragon. And no one else." She tilted her head, so genuinely honest that Arthur felt tears pricked at the back of his eyes again.

The young man let go of a breath he didn't remember having kept.

"Well..." he cleared his throat and smiled a smile that reached his eyes for the first time in days. "Then, nothing else matter. I forgive you."

Gwen felt tears pricking at her eyes and she slowly got away, shaking her head slowly,

"You... You can't do that."

"Try me. You kissed Lancelot, fine." she saw his eyes grew wider a few seconds, and she understood he was trying to calm the pain he felt. "I don't want to throw away everything we've got for one mistake. It's not worth it. Not to me."

"You can't do that! I... Don't you understand? Are you stupid? I can't be trusted! You can't trust me! I..."

She didn't have time to explain further.

Arthur had walked toward, closing the gap between them for finally lay his lips in hers in a passionate kiss.

He kissed her with all his being and she was doing the same.

In that instant nothing else mattered…

They were only a man and a woman, deeply in love.

He walked forward and she felt the bed against her legs, and the two of them, took by the passion of their kiss, were ready to let themselves fall on it when the door suddenly opened.

Merlin came in and immediately realized he would have rather face Morgana and Morgaine than the scene occurring in front of him.

Arthur and Gwen kissing rather... passionately, ready to let themselves fall on his bed...

Merlin felt his ears warmed and guessed he was as red as his scarf right now.

Right when he came, Arthur and Gwen got away from each other, but he noticed Arthur's protective hand on Gwen's back.

The King cleared his throat and Gwen looked down, blushing.

"Merlin?"

"You... are in my room,"

"I wanted to talk to you," finally said Gwen in a small voice,

"I can see that!"

Arthur groaned and Gwen blushed a little more.

Suddenly, Merlin reminded himself of the reason why he was looking for them. He walked toward and the serious stare on his face worried Arthur,

"Is everything's alright Merlin?"

"We have to leave."

"What? "

"Leave this village."

"I beg your pardon?"

"But why?" asked Gwen,

Merlin sighed,

"Morgana."

Arthur's eyes went wide with anger and disbelief.

"Is she here?"

Merlin nodded,

"Bring me to her." said the King. "I can't take it anymore. It has lasted too long… Let's this be over once for all."

"Oh yes, good idea my lord. Go face an high priestess alone, with no army and in a land you don't know." Arthur's eyes widened, "And they say you're the greatest warrior of all." chuckled Merlin and Gwen giggled.

"Excuse me?" said Arthur, eyes still wide. "What was that about?"

Merlin was about to answer but another soft voice came out,

"You know he is right, Arthur." The King turned towards Guinevere,"She is too strong here. You would be slaughtered and I..." she breathed, "I couldn't bear it. Not now that we found each other again."

A tender smile lit up Arthur's face and he stroked her hand with his thumb. During this time, Merlin was desperately searching for the courage to keep going and Gwen noticed,

"You aren't done, are you Merlin?"

"No." he breathed,

"Then speak."

"Gwen... it will probably be hard for you to hear."

He saw her frown,

"It's about Sophia..."

Gwen paled a little,

"She..."

"Merlin?"

"She is Morgana's ally, I heard them talk. They want to divide us to kill us. And Morgana called her 'Morgaine', I do not know why, I didn't listen more, I came here as fast as I could."

"And you've done well." told him Arthur, getting closer to pat his shoulder.

He then returned to Guinevere, her eyes vague. He felt his heart broke, seeing her sadness.

"Guinevere..." he then breathed,

She looked up at him and he saw the tears in her eyes.

He then used the hand he was holding to bring her to him in a tight embrace, covering her body with his own, trying to suppress the pain.

"I really wanted it to be true… She would have been the last bond with my beloved father."

"I know my love, I know."

Merlin let them a few seconds, before saying with a hurried voice,

"Hate to cut you but we have to leave as soon as we can."

The King nodded and got away a little from the woman in his arms, he laid his hands on her cheeks, wiping the tears there,

"Listen to me my love, you will go home and take a few things that matter for you and then, you will come to us behind the stables. If everything goes well, we'll be at Camelot before dawn fall. Understood?"

She nodded and started crying, Arthur calmed her down.

"Everything's going to be alright my love, I promise."

She displayed a brave smile, and then, hesitantly, got closer to him and kissed him tenderly.

Arthur was surprised by this kiss but responded equally tenderly.

Gwen slowly receded from him and, with a last sad smile to Merlin she left the house, soon followed by Arthur who whispered "Well done" to his friend before leaving to prepare his own things, leaving Merlin do the same as well.

Morgaine was watching Morgana, asking herself if she should act now or not.

She could still be useful...

"Is everything's alright?" asked the young witch, seeing her watch her.

"Yes," she answered, "I was just thinking."

"Nothing serious I hope, I need all your attention on Arthur and Gwen."

"Do not worry Morgana, I know exactly where my mind has to be."

And indeed she did.

And for that, she had to be patient.

At least a little more...

Gwen was hastily preparing some stuff, without really noticing.

All these thoughts in her head...

First of all, Arthur.

And their kiss.

His words.

He was so different from his father, and she hoped he knew that.

And then…

Sophia, or Morgaine.

How could she have done that?

Playing on her feelings because Morgana knew how much she loved her father.

This was so twisted.

Gwen couldn't understand Morgana.

They had been friends…

What happened?

Paul had been right.

Oh my God, Paul.

She was hoping everything was alright for him...

He had tried to warn her and for that, she hoped one day, she could thank him.

She kept on preparing her journey all the while thinking she had to take Trouble with her, too.

When a voice was heard and she froze.

This was the same cold voice as the one in her room the night she first met Paul.

She slowly turned around and faced Sophia,

"Are you going somewhere?"

Gwen swallowed,

"No." she answered,

"Then what are you doing?"

"I sort out my clothes, the ones I keep, those I give… I do not wish to keep memories from my old life if I want to move on here."

Sophia raised an eyebrow, surprised and Gwen was surprised by her skill to lie. Sophia, or was it Morgaine, raised an eyebrow.

"Ok... Then, I suppose I should give you some space."

"Good idea."

And even if it cost a lot to Gwen, she managed to smile at the woman before she left.

Once it was done, she sped up and opened the window, she sneaked out whistled for her dog who ran to her happily and then ran towards the stables.

Arthur was pacing, at Merlin's side, the horses ready.

"Arthur, stop it, you are making me sick!"

"She already should be here..."

"Guinevere is coming, I'm sure of it. Leave her some more minutes."

Arthur stopped right away,

"What's going on?" asked his friend,

"And what if Sophia found out that we were about to flee and..." he ran a hand in his hair, "Oh my God, Guinevere!"

"I'm here." answered a sweet voice, causing both of them to jump.

Arthur rushed toward her and held her close to him, she slightly laughed when he made sure she was uninjured.

"I'm here Arthur, and I'm fine." she laid a hand on his cheek and stroked it tenderly while Arthur melted.

How did she do that?

Merlin cleared his throat then and the two lovers turned around, not without a dark look of the King toward his most trusted friend.

"We have to go now." then he patted Trouble, "He'll walk beside us?"

Gwen nodded.

"He's healed."

"Perfect."

Merlin rode his horse, Gwen was about to ride one too but Arthur caught her arm tenderly and drew her to him, his blue eyes locked onto hers and she forgot for a few seconds where she was.

Finally, he got closer and kissed her lovingly, before letting go of her, and helping her mount on her horse.

Surprised by this new kiss, Gwen couldn't say anything and Arthur mounted in his own horse, before leaving at a gallop, followed by Gwen and Merlin.

Morgana woke up and whispered with anger,

"No... No!"

Her eyes went gold and the glass beside her bed exploded,

"NO!"

The young woman got up right away and without waiting, took her horse and hurried toward the village.

What she had just seen couldn't be real.

Arthur, Gwen and Merlin were still riding along the forest when suddenly, a person threw herself in the way, in front of Arthur's horse which reared up and the King almost fell but as a good rider, he managed to calm his horse.

Merlin stared at the man too, but it was Gwen who recognize him and breathed, in a barely hearable voice before dismounted quickly off her horse,

"Paul..."

Morgana arrived to the village, and, without waiting, came in search of the chamber where her brother and this stupid servant of his should be.

No one.

She felt anger making her way and ran into Morgaine's house, before coming in, Morgause's sister came, puzzled to see her here.

"Morgana? What are you doing here? If they see you, our cover is over!"

Morgana sneered and the young woman didn't understand the reason why,

"Well, I'm going to reassure you now. They won't notice..."

"How's that?"

"THEY LEFT " screamed the witch and Morgaine jumped, "ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS WATCH AFTER THEM AND YOU HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN ABLE OF IT!"

Morgaine's eyes grew cold as ice.

"What would Morgause said if she was still here... Thankfully, she is not here anymore to watch that." Morgana said with disdain, walking away.

And suddenly, it became too much.

Morgaine closed her eyes, feeling magic shaking in her.

She was magic.

"Shut up."

Surprised, Morgana stopped, before turning around.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said," her eyes were still closed, "Shut up."

"How dare you talk to me this way? I am..."

"You killed my sister."

Right away, Morgana stopped mid-sentence,

"You're as guilty as Pendragon is. Maybe more so. You put the dagger in her heart. You must pay."

"Do you know who you're talking with, you foolish little girl? I'm Morgana Pendragon, High Priestress of the Old Religion and ..."

"And you," cut her off Morgaine, "Do you only know what exactly I'm capable of?"

What happened next went quickly, Morgaine opened her eyes and a blow of explosion crossed the room, with such a power, Morgana was sent waltz against a wall and fell unconscious.

Morgaine walked toward, shaking her head,

"Such a waste..."

A/N : Thank you all for the love and support. Lots of love ! xx